Post-flood concerns

THE flood waters are receding in major districts. With that comes the possibility of post-flood outbreak of waterborne diseases. This is nothing new. Safe drinking water has always been a problem in the immediate aftermath of a flood as sources of fresh drinking water become scarce or contaminated. It is not surprising to find large numbers of people becoming sick with dysentery, fever and skin ailments. While relief operations are going on in various parts of the country, the shortage of essential medical supplies such as water purifying tablets have run short. That there was ample warning of floods is evident.

Although public hospitals have been mobilised to tackle any outbreak of water borne diseases, it is necessary to keep ample stocks of medications and other supplies in hand. The recent floods have taken a serious toll on flood embankments of major rivers. We are somewhat baffled that funds reserved for river erosion, repair and maintenance of embankments have not yet been disbursed. While steps are underway to contain spread of diseases within acceptable levels, that measures in protecting physical infrastructure leave much to be desired.  

Had embankments and river erosion protection mechanisms been better maintained then perhaps the effects of flooding could have been tolerable in terms of farming and housing losses. The slow pace of implementation of upgrading protection mechanisms needs to be prioritised so that people are better protected from the fury of floods.